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Round Lake Community Association |
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Summer Student Hired (June 20 2011) We are pleased to announce that the successful candidate for the Summer Student position is Ian Harris. Ian will be working with us from July 4 - Aug 19 around the Hall and the Rec Site. Summer Student (May 26 2011) This posting is now closed.Thanks to all those who applied. We will announce the successful candidate by June 20, 2011. RLCA has received funding under the Canada Summer Jobs Initiative to hire a full time summer student. For job details click here. (PDF file will open in new window) Quick Bridge Update: (May 5 2011) The
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) continues with
engineering work for the possible replacement of Quick Bridge, 35 km E
of Smithers. The replacement decision is based on the age of the
existing timber structure as well as the increasing load bearing
restrictions (e.g. the structure may not support the weight of
maintenance equipment and may limit the ability to provide maintenance
services according to Ministry specifications). MOTI is in the
design process creating a shelf ready project so construction can take
place when funding becomes available. The ministry is working to ensure the community continues to have a safe and reliable bridge across the Bulkley River. The Ministry appreciates any input and comments. Questions can be sent by e-mail to the District Manager: Carl.Lutz@gov.bc.ca or by mail to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Bag 5000, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0. Hall Rental Thinking of a September wedding or celebration? Only one weekend left to choose from in September...the weekend of September 10 and 11. However, we still have several weekends left in the summer. Round Lake offers a great camping spot for your family and friend get together! Call Judy @ 250-846-5296 for any rental inquiries. Quick Bridge Update: The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure had committed to getting back to the Quick Bridge stakeholders near the end of November to discuss the project. We have not yet been able to confirm some important engineering details regarding the options for the Quick Bridge. We have made progress on details regarding the type of structure if replacement of the bridge is undertaken. At the last public meeting, the ministry was considering a structure comprised of steel girders with pre-cast concrete decks. We are also looking at a composite structure with steel girders, but with a wood deck and railing system. As well, we are continuing to explore options regarding a repair. The ministry will continue to work through engineering options and will hold another public meeting once more information is available for discussion. Quick Bridge The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) met with the residents and interested parties of the Quick/Round Lake areas at the Round Lake Hall on October 19th. Ministry representatives included: · Mike Lorimer (District Manager) · Ed Cienciala (Bridge Engineer) · Carl Lutz (Operations Manager) · Trish Mazuch (Bridge Area Manager) Billabong Road and Bridge Maintenance · Dan Beaulac (Operations Manager) The Quick Bridge was constructed in 1921 and is a wooden Howe Truss structure. The ministry has maintained the structure on a continual basis with signification repairs in the 1990’s and 2004. However, there is still an 8 tonne load restriction on the bridge. In 2008, the ministry hired Dean Barlow with Allnorth Engineering to assess the condition of the structure. He is a leading provincial expert on Howe Trusses and recently completed the innovative removal of a similar structure on the Adams River near Salmon Arm. His assessment recommended approximately $300,000 in repairs in addition to identifying concerns with the bottom chord of the bridge which is a major structural component of the bridge. There is extensive rot in the wood that makes up the bottom chord. At one point, these types of bridges were relatively common throughout the province, but the ministry has been working to replace these aging structures with new reliable structures. Based on the condition assessment of the Quick Bridge, the ministry has undertaken engineering work to identify options for this bridge. Replacement of the bottom chord is the only option to maintain the structural integrity. Unfortunately, this is an expensive and complicated repair. In order to do this work, piles must be driven across the river to support the entire bridge structure. A conservative estimate is over 80 piles. The bridge would then have to be jacked up from these piles and the chords could be replaced. This is a complicated process and it has some significant environmental impacts with the extensive pile driving. The end product is still an old wooden structure that will continue to require ongoing maintenance of the wood bridge components. The ministry attempted a similar repair on the Chehalis Bridge in southern B.C. This structure was 180’ in length and the costs to date are over $1,500,000. This bridge will likely still require replacement in about 10 years. Based on this experience, the 300’ Quick Bridge would likely be in the neighbourhood of $2,500,000 plus the $300,000 worth of repairs recommended by Dean Barlow. With all other costs (i.e. engineering), the repair of the Quick Bridge would be over $3,000,000. The ministry has looked at options for replacement and is still working on detailed engineering assessments. At this time, the preferred option is to remove the Quick Bridge and replace it with a steel/concrete single lane structure. This structure would use the existing bridge approach and piers. The current estimate for this replacement is approximately $1,500,000. This is a savings of over $1,500,000 which allows the ministry to invest these funds to improve other structures within the district. The new bridge would have an increased load rating. However, there are constraints with the bridge approaches and the Quick Station Road with regards to load capacity. The ministry would likely continue to restrict the bridge to levels below those necessary for loaded logging trucks. This would minimize changes to the traffic type and volume through the community. These details will be finalized and presented to the community prior to any decisions regarding the project. The final decision is not made and the ministry is working to ensure that the community continues to have a reliable and safe crossing across the Bulkley River. This is a chance to replace the structure as a proactive measure and to integrate local community input into the project. We appreciate your input and comments can be sent by e-mail to Mike.Lorimer@gov.bc.ca or by mail to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Bag 5000, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0. Donations to Fire Victim In August of 2010, Eleanor Bennett's life changed dramatically when lightning and high winds resulted in a fire completing destroying her home and all her belongings. There was no insurance. Eleanor is a long time resident of Quick and as a community, we are trying to help her get back on her feet. A trust fund for Eleanor has been established at the Bulkley Valley Credit Union and Eleanor is prudently saving each penny with the aim of building a small cabin on her 5 acre property to start again. Please give generously.
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